Saab 900 MOT pass rate & common failures
The Saab 900 appears in 15,661 MOT tests spanning model years 1980–2020, and 74.5% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (20.0% fail rate), the 900 comes out 5.5pp worse. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.2% of tests against 11.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and rbt (sp) — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 1,508 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 28.3% versus 19.5%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 25.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 26.7% in 2021 to 25.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every 900 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 86 | 73.3% | 26.7% | Brakes |
| 1984 | 167 | 72.5% | 27.5% | Brakes |
| 1985 | 193 | 77.7% | 22.3% | Brakes |
| 1986 | 226 | 71.7% | 28.3% | Brakes |
| 1987 | 441 | 72.1% | 27.9% | Brakes |
| 1988 | 544 | 79.2% | 20.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1989 | 904 | 76.0% | 24.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1990 | 1,744 | 75.2% | 24.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1991 | 1,550 | 74.7% | 25.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1992 | 2,233 | 73.9% | 26.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1993 | 2,594 | 74.1% | 25.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1994 | 337 | 73.6% | 26.4% | Brakes |
| 1995 | 617 | 74.2% | 25.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1996 | 1,141 | 72.7% | 27.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1997 | 2,029 | 74.9% | 25.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1998 | 687 | 74.5% | 25.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1999 | 30 | 66.7% | 33.3% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 2,232 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.1% | 1,741 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.0% | 1,407 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 1,246 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.1% | 959 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.0% | 942 |
| 7 | Steering | 3.4% | 528 |
| 8 | Tyres | 2.9% | 457 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,508 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 819 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 783 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 681 |
| 5 | Washers | 640 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 591 |
| 7 | Position lamp | 531 |
| 8 | Wipers | 522 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 25.5% | 3,998 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 24.7% | 3,872 |
| 3 | Suspension | 23.1% | 3,613 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.6% | 2,760 |
| 5 | Tyres | 17.5% | 2,738 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.7% | 1,677 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 159 | 19.5% |
| 30-60k | 774 | 19.3% |
| 60-90k | 2,285 | 19.9% |
| 90-120k | 3,696 | 25.5% |
| 120-150k | 3,698 | 26.8% |
| 150k+ | 5,024 | 28.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,806 | 26.7% |
| 2022 | 3,437 | 25.4% |
| 2023 | 3,083 | 25.4% |
| 2024 | 2,777 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 2,558 | 25.0% |
What to check before buying a Saab 900
- Lighting & signalling (14.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (9.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Saab 900?
74.5% of the 15,661 Saab 900 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 25.5% fail rate, across model years 1980–2020.
What does the Saab 900 most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.2% of tests, then brakes (11.1%).
How much does mileage affect 900 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 19.5% for cars in the 0-30k band and 28.3% for 150k+, a 8.8-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,661 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.